Ride the Lightning is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on July 27, 1984 by the independent record label Megaforce Records. The artwork, based on a concept by the band, depicts an electric chair being struck by lightning flowing from the band logo. The title was taken from a passage in Stephen King's novel The Stand. Although 75,000 copies were initially pressed for the American market, the album sold half a million by November 1987. It went on to become certified 6× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Many rock publications have ranked Ride the Lightning on their best album lists, saying it had a lasting impact on the genre.[1]

Ross’s Take: “The first track was the first song I learned on the guitar in the 7th grade. Remember listening to it before football practice [tight end] in high school. Hard metal…good feeling.”

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ride_the_Lightning

Mural Installed:

January 15, 2021

Artists:

Dan Craig

Karen Hegglin

Pat Lewis

Lina Velasquez

Sandra Willson

Art Director:

Dan Craig

Photographer:

Kim Bush

Installers:

Brandon Kuskie

Ross Kelly